1/X. 03.

To the Odessa Committee

Dear Comrades! We likewise sincerely regret that a disagreement has arisen between the Odessa Committee and *Iskra* on the question of factory elders 244.

Our delay in responding to the letter of the Odessa Committee was caused, principally, by the fact that the editorial board was absent at that time. Generally speaking, an obstacle was created here (strange as it may seem) by the II Party Congress.

As for the substance of the matter, at the Congress, among other things, a resolution was adopted recommending participation in the election of factory elders.

The text of the resolution is quoted: resolution No. 28.

This resolution was adopted by an enormous majority, and we believe that the matter can be corrected, although not immediately. The Odessa Committee should now distribute (without publication) the text of this resolution among all organized workers and promote understanding of it. Subsequently, when the resolution is published, it would be desirable to issue, under the signature of the Odessa Committee, a leaflet

setting forth the party's view on the question and calling upon workers to support the tactics approved by the entire party.

In substance, we find that continuous agitation concerning the election of elders would have far greater educational and organizational significance than one-time agitation concerning a refusal to participate in elections. And your own reports about patriarchal methods confirm this, pointing to the necessity of continuous struggle against espionage laws and espionage methods.

We fully concur with your desire for more frequent exchange of opinion for the purpose of avoiding disagreements and contradictions in agitation. Write more frequently, not only for publication, and make sure that the addresses (for letters to you) function regularly.

We shall attempt to write a leaflet on the connection between economic and political struggle, if only other work permits.

The Manifesto of the "Workers' Will" 245 we are printing in full, as you desired.

Lenin

Sent from Geneva

First published July 29, 1928

in the newspaper *Pravda* No. 175

Printed from the manuscript